Sao Paulo- Electric aircraft manufacturer Eve and Blade Air Mobility announced on Monday their plans to expand their partnership, aiming to incorporate Eve's upcoming flying car into Blade's European route network. This collaboration will begin with the implementation of services in France, as disclosed by the companies.
This agreement follows similar deals between the two firms, who are presently participating in the Paris Airshow. They have previously agreed to utilize Eve's electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles in India and the United States.
Eve, which is under the control of Brazilian planemaker Embraer, has set a target of commencing commercial operations of its flying car in 2026.
In their joint statement, Eve and Blade emphasized that their new memorandum of understanding would prioritize the development of practical applications for air mobility, including the identification of future routes in France and other European countries. The details of whether the agreement involves new eVTOL purchases by Blade remain undisclosed. Currently, Blade's European operations include operating conventional helicopter flights between Nice and Monaco.
Last year, Eve and Blade reached an agreement to deploy a maximum of 200 electric aircraft in India. They also signed a letter of intent for operations in the United States, where Eve plans to deliver up to 60 vehicles annually.
Blade's CEO, Rob Wiesenthal, expressed the company's dedication to spearheading the shift from conventional to electric vertical aircraft, highlighting the significance of extending their partnership with Eve.
Eve currently has a backlog of nearly 2,800 orders awaiting production, with support from investors such as United Airlines and Rolls-Royce. Recently, the company announced its first equipment suppliers for eVTOLs and intends to commence construction of its first full-scale prototype in the latter half of this year. Further testing is scheduled for 2024.
Eve's CEO, Andre Stein, anticipates that the extended partnership with Blade will enable both companies to merge their expertise and resources, enhancing travel accessibility and driving environmental advancements.
Additionally, Blade acquired the charter and scheduled flight operations of European companies Monacair, Heli Securite, and Azur Helicoptere last year. This acquisition is deemed vital for ongoing technical and commercial discussions with Eve, according to Blade.